Surgical treatment for paraplegia resulting from vertebral fractures in senile osteoporosis.

Seven extremely rare cases of paraplegia secondary to senile osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were treated by posterior decompression followed by Harrington rod stabilization. This approach not only ensures more satisfactory decompression, but also facilitates early mobilization and rehabilitation. The follow-up period ranged from 1 year to 3 years, 3 months (average, 24.7 months); in all seven cases a substantial overall improvement was achieved. This report demonstrates that an osteoporotic vertebral body fracture can cause a cord compression, and emphasizes the effectiveness and importance of early surgical treatment.